1. PRESENT
Councillors:
- Mr M McNulty (Mayor)
- Mr B Cooper (Mayor Designate)
- Mrs M Davies
- Dr D Giaretta
- Mr G Collier
- Capt J Flood
- Mr J Goff
- Mrs S Crowther
- Mr A Thompson
- Mrs M Turner
- Mr L Elias
- Mr C Daukes
- Mrs M Flood
- Mr B Griffiths
- Mr T Harbour
- Mr R Hawlor
- Mr P Hayward
- Mrs L Hood
- Mrs J Murphy
- Mr K Murphy
- Mr B Service
Officers:
- Mr D Stapleton (Town Clerk)
- Mr A Tubb (Deputy Town Clerk)
The Mayor, Councillor Mr M McNulty, expressed sincere thanks to those who were no longer members but who had served on the previous Council. He offered the current Town Council members his sincere best wishes for the future and hoped that the town prospered.
2. ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR 2007-2008
The election of Councillor Mr B Cooper, Mayor Designate, as Mayor for the year 2007-2008 was confirmed, Minute 655. of Council minutes dated 16th April 2007 refers.
RESOLVED that Councillor Mr B Cooper serve as Town Mayor for the year 2007-2008.
The Mayor, Councillor Mr B Cooper, then signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Councillor Cooper then took the Chair and thanked the outgoing Mayor for his kind words and the 24 years of service he had given to the Council and Town.
3. APOLOGIES
Mrs A Service (Personal).
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Members were reminded to declare any personal or prejudicial interests on any item on the agenda in accordance with the Councils Code of Conduct.
Councillor P Hayward declared a prejudicial interest in Minute 11(b) as he is a member of Didcot Town Football Club; Councillor Mrs J Murphy declared a prejudicial interest in Minute 11(b) as she is Company Secretary to Total Pest Control (UK) Ltd and Councillor Mr K Murphy declared a prejudicial interest in Minute11(b) as he is a Director of Total Pest Control (UK) Ltd.
5. APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAIN TO THE MAYOR 2007-2008
It was confirmed that the Chaplain to the Mayor for 2007-2008 would be the Rev. Helen White.
6. ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR 2007-2008
There was one nomination for Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mr T Harbour.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mr T Harbour be elected Deputy Town Mayor for 2007-2008.
The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mr T Harbour, then signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
7. ELECTION OF LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER 2007-2008
(a) Leader
There was one nomination for Leader, Councillor Capt J Flood.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mr Capt J Flood be elected Leader for 2007-2008.
(b) Deputy Leader
There was one nomination for Deputy Leader, Councillor Mr B Service. Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mr B Service be elected Deputy Leader for 2007-2008.
8. MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th April 2007 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.
9. Adoption and agreement of Committee reports and recommendations
(a) Environment Committee - 23rd April 2007
RESOLVED that, subject to Minute 665, Removal of Unauthorised Signs, being referred back to the Environment Committee, the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
10. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
22/04/07 |
Civic Service, St Peters |
Mayor & Mayoress |
27/04/07 |
Wallingford Town Council Dinner |
Mayor & Mayoress |
30/04/07 |
Art Exhibition Stephen Freeman School |
Mayor & Mayoress |
01/05/07 |
Champagne Brunch, Cineworld and opening |
Mayor & Mayoress |
07/05/07 |
Guides May Fair, Didcot |
Mayor & Mayoress |
10/05/07 |
Reception Election to Mayoralty |
Mayor & Mayoress |
10/05/07 |
King Alfred Drive Community Centre AGM |
Mayor & Mayoress |
11. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
(a) RESOLVED that the payment of bills for 14th May 2007 amounting to £5,144.03 be authorised.
Councillors Mr P Hayward, Mr K Murphy and Mrs J Murphy left the meeting.
(b) RESOLVED that the payment of bills for 1st May 2007 amounting to £50,016.87 be authorised for payment.
Arising therefrom:
(a) In response to a question, related to the costs for fencing at land near to Didcot Town Football Club, it was noted that the fence was installed in partnership with the Football Club and prevented vehicular access to Town Council land.
Councillors Mr P Hayward, Mr K Murphy and Mrs J Murphy returned to the meeting.
(c) RESOLVED that payments made by direct payment, manual cheque, direct debit or Standing Order since the last monthly meeting of Council on 16th April 2007 amounting to £27,261.11 be authorised.
12. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO STANDING COMMITTEES
RESOLVED that the following appointments be agreed for 2007-2008, appointments of Chairs and Vice-Chairs are subject to election at the first meeting of each committee:
Finance and General Purposes |
Arts & Grants |
Environment |
Planning & Development |
Personnel and Administration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chair: Mr P Hayward |
Chair: Mr T Harbour |
Chair: Mr A Thompson |
Chair: Mrs M Turner |
Chair: Capt J Flood |
Vice-Chair: Mr T Harbour |
Vice-Chair: Mr G Collier |
Vice-Chair: Mrs M Turner |
Vice-Chair: Mrs A Service |
Vice-Chair: Mr W Service |
Mrs J Murphy Mrs L Hood Mr R Hawlor Mrs S Crowther Dr D Giaretta Leader (Ex-Officio – with Voting Rights) |
Mr C Daukes Mr B Griffiths Mrs S Crowther Dr D Giaretta Leader (Ex-Officio – with Voting Rights) Chair of Finance and General Purposes (Ex-Officio – without Voting Rights) |
Mr K Murphy Mrs M Flood Mr G Collier Mr J Goff Leader (Ex-Officio – with Voting Rights ) Chair of Finance and General Purposes (Ex-Officio – without Voting Rights) |
Mr L Elias Mrs M Flood Mr J Goff Vacancy Leader (Ex-Officio – with Voting Rights) |
Mr C Daukes Mrs A Service Mr A Thompson Mrs M Davies Chair of Finance and General Purposes (Ex-Officio – without Voting Rights) |
13. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE DIDCOT DYNAMO WORKING GROUP
RESOLVED that Councillors Mrs L Hood, Mr C Daukes, Mr P Hayward, Mr B Griffiths and Mr B Cooper be appointed to the Didcot Dynamo Working Group.
14. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE DIDCOT CIVIC HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED that Councillors Capt J Flood, Mrs M Turner, Mrs L Hood Mrs M Flood and Mrs M Davies be appointed to the Civic Hall Management Committee.
15. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO OTHER BODIES
RESOLVED that the following appointments be agreed:
- Fleet Meadow Community Hall Association - Mr L Elias
- UK AEA Liaison Committee – Capt J Flood
- Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (2) - Mayor & Deputy Mayor
- Didcot Leisure Centre – Mr B Griffiths
- Didcot Arts and Community Association – No nomination
- Citizens Advice Bureau – Mrs J Murphy
- Didcot Volunteer Centre – Mrs A Service
- Power Station Liaison Committee (2) – Capt J Flood & Mr G Collier
- Ladygrove Fishing Association (2) – Mr G Collier & one vacancy
- Didcot Community Safety Group – Mr P Hayward plus the Town Clerk
- Didcot Youth Centre Management Committee – Mr A Thompson
- King Alfred Drive Community Centre - Mr R Hawlor
- Ladygrove Community Centre Management Committee (3) - Mrs A Service, Mr P Hayward & Mr M Pendlebury (who serves as Treasurer and is the bursar at St Birinus)
- Twinning Association – Mr C Daukes
- Didcot Chamber of Commerce – Mr K Murphy
- Hagbourne Charities (2) – Mrs M Turner & Mr A Thompson
- Didcot Arts Forum (DAF) – Mr A Thompson
16. ADOPTION OF THE REVISED CODE OF CONDUCT
It was noted that the government had published a revised code of conduct; the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 (SI 2007 No 1159); which came into force on 3rd May 2007. Local authorities have 6 months to adopt the revised code.
The Monitoring Officer at South Oxfordshire District Council has recommended that all town and parish Councils adopt the code from the same effective date as the district council which is 1st July 2007, so they may publish a generic press advert and notify the Standards Board on the Council’s behalf.
RESOLVED that the mandatory provisions in the Model Code of Conduct set out in Statutory Instrument 2007/1159 be adopted as the Didcot Town Council Code of Conduct to be effective from 1st July 2007, subject to:
(i) the inclusion of the "general principles" as an Annex to the Code, with a footnote to explain that it is not part of the Code but is included as an Annex because of the requirement in paragraph 1(2) of the Code for members to have regards to the principles: and
(ii) the addition of paragraph 12(2) of the Model Code, but excluding the words in brackets each as recommended by the Standards Board for England and South Oxfordshire District Council.
Note: It was noted that the Town Clerk is to notify the Monitoring Officer of South Oxfordshire District Council of the above resolution.
17. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Stephen Freeman School and Childrens Centre
School governor vacancy.
NOTED
Note: This has now been withdrawn as the school have advised that they would like this to be a County Councillor.
(b) Oxfordshire Training Partnership for Local Councils
Local Government and Local Councils
Wednesday 6th June 10am – 3pm South Oxfordshire District Council
NOTED
(c) Oxfordshire Training Partnership for Local Councils
Getting to Grips with Finance
Wednesday 4th July 2007 10.15am – 2.30pm Didcot Civic Hall
NOTED
(d) Oxfordshire Training Partnership for Local Councils
How Local Councils Fit Into The Planning System
Wednesday 10th October 2007 9.30am – 1pm Didcot Civic Hall
NOTED
Note: If any member would like to attend any of the above training events please contact the Town Clerk or Deputy Clerk as soon as possible.
18. QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER
(a) Mrs M Turner asked the Leader about future service provision at Didcot Hospital?
In response the Leader said that he was not aware of any new proposals to change the services currently provided at the Didcot Hospital but would reconvene the Hospital Committee upon receipt of any new information.
(b) Mr A Thompson asked if the report of the district would be reinstated?
In response the Leader said that it would be a good idea to reinstate, on future Council agendas, a report on matters of interest from the district.
(c) Mr J Goff asked the Leader if he would confirm his intention that the Council would continue its endeavours to seek to acquire land for recreational use for the benefit of the town’s people and would he prepare a written report for the next meeting of the Council to update members, especially the new members, on this issue?
In response the Leader confirmed that the search for recreational land goes on but as there is nothing additional to report he did not propose to bring a report to the next meeting of the Council.
(d) Mrs M Davies asked the Leader if Conservative Councillors, as per their election manifesto, would work towards having Willowbrook Leisure Centre taken over by South Oxfordshire District Council and also if he would work towards revenue funding from the District Council to subsidise the running of the Willowbrook and the pre-school or if the capital assets worth several million pounds are to be handed over; and what the timetable would be?
In response the Leader said there was no timetable and that the Clerk was currently working on ideas to get Willowbrook to a point of being profitable; the Leader added that he intended to ask the Clerk to contact South Oxfordshire District Council with the view to commencing preliminary discussions on the future of Willowbrook Leisure Centre.
(e) Mrs M Davies asked the Leader if he would accept her congratulations on his appointment and would he continue his work of the last three years to do away with the position of Leader?
In response the Leader accepted the congratulations and said that this was not something he would be pursuing at the present time.
The Meeting commenced at 7.30pm and closed at 8.20pm
Mayor
